Michela Sorano has loved being in the kitchen for practically her entire life. Throughout her childhood in Richboro, she could often be found alongside her Mom-Mom Rose whipping up cookies, Jewish apple cake and other sweet treats.
Now, at 25 years old, Sorano is taking that passion to the next level with her first-ever bake shop at 777 2nd Street Pike. Baked By Michela is expected to have a soft opening on May 7, and a grand opening on May 21.
“I’m still in shock a little bit,” Sorano said of this achievement. “I think I’ll really feel it once I open the door and people come in.”
Baked By Michela is a small business that Sorano has been operating out of her home and bringing to area food truck festivals since 2018. While she’s garnered a strong following thanks to these appearances and word of mouth, her sights weren’t set on opening a shop at the moment. It basically happened by accident.
“I didn’t really have these plans for this year. I wanted to find a commissary kitchen, maybe, just to get right with the health department because I did it out of my home for so long,” she said. “I had started looking at kitchens in January.”
However, one night, she and her mom were driving past 777 2nd Street Pike, which used to be Sweet Rhythm Bakery. There was a “for rent” sign in the window and, after some hesitation, Sorano called the number. Not only was the rent affordable, but she fell in love with the intimate 1,000-square-foot space. It was just enough for her needs, and the lease was officially signed.
For Sorano, opening this shop is a massive achievement. Back in high school, when Sorano expressed ambition to pursue a professional career in baking, she didn’t receive a ton of support from her peers.
“I had a lot of people tell me that it wouldn’t be a success, or it’s not the typical road to go down to be successful and make enough money to be able to support myself,” she said. “I had a lot of people who I thought were friends at the time tell me, ‘Oh wow, you’re not gonna go to Penn State for a normal career?’ And it really made me think about the choice that I was going to make.”
During her high school years, Sorano desperately tried to find something else that she was passionate about. However, nothing could beat baking. There was just one catch: culinary school would be pricey and require Sorano to move into the city, which, being a self-admitted homebody, she didn’t want to do. Additionally, there would be limited employment opportunities post-graduation that covered both living expenses and student loan payments.
While trying to figure out next steps, Sorano took a year off after high school and worked full-time as a shift leader at the local Dunkin’. It was here that she learned all about how to run a business, customer service and food safety. Eventually, she enrolled in an affordable pastry apprenticeship program at Bucks County Community College, during which time she left Dunkin’ and began serving as a cake decorator at Acme.
Simultaneously, word was spreading about Sorano’s baking abilities, with family, friends and neighbors asking her to make simple cakes and other baked goods. It was at this point that the brand Baked By Michela was born.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, and Sorano wasn’t keen on the idea of working in a public space, she left Acme to pursue Baked By Michela full-time. She told her family and boyfriend to give her one year. If she put all of her energy into the business and it didn’t become truly successful in 12 months, she’d go work at the Costco bakery.
Turns out, she didn’t have to fill out any Costco applications. Thanks to Sorano’s drive and determination, she quickly became a regular at area food truck festivals. Baked By Michela garnered a following of dessert lovers who knew they could expect treats that tasted just as good as they looked, something Sorano thought was hard to come by.
Ever since, Sorano has kept her offerings fresh with hot chocolate bombs, cake pops and other trending treats, while also holding fast to what started it all: Mom-Mom Rose’s recipes, which include loaf cakes and Christmas cookie trays.
“Every year, my mom-mom makes up to nine different Christmas cookies and she would box them up and give them to friends and family. It was always something that I looked forward to and I loved making them with her, and we still do now,” said Sorano. “I’ve been selling them for the past five years and will continue to at the shop. I hold these recipes close to my heart. It’s something that I witnessed so young and I learned from her. Now, I’m trying to duplicate that, but for hundreds and thousands of people to enjoy.”
At 777 2nd Street Pike, guests can expect everything mentioned and more, including custom cakes and seasonal selections, such as boozy Baileys Irish potato cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day. Sorano is excited for customers to be able to try a little bit of everything (usually at food truck events, everything was pre-packaged orders of six or 12 items).
When asked if she employed any staff members to help run the shop, Sorano laughed and said, “You’re gonna think I’m crazy, but I actually haven’t hired anyone.”
Her family members will help at the front as needed. As for her boyfriend of nine years, he’s an accountant during the week, but a pro cookie scooper and dishwasher on the weekends. In fact, he’s such a staple and supporter of Sorano’s operation, that people have started to recognize him at events.
Sorano admitted that her mom asked her if she’s crazy for not hiring help. But she’s standing by her decision.
“I said, ‘I hope I’m so busy that I have to practically sleep here.’ That’s my goal. As long as I can pay my bills and live comfortably. I don’t want to be in every supermarket. I don’t want to be a millionaire in life. I’m just lucky enough that I get to do what I love every single day and make it my career,” she said. “A lot of times, when businesses get bigger and bigger, the quality goes down. It’s not the same. I don’t want to lose the authenticity.”
As Sorano gears up for the grand opening of Baked By Michela, which will feature free jumbo cookies for the first 100 customers, she’s trying to comprehend just how far that little girl in the kitchen with Mom-Mom Rose has come. Her sisters regularly have to remind Sorano of her accomplishments, including how she’s become a business owner without any debt by the age of 25.
“I want this place to be like a second home to people that they can rely on, and get sweets that look good but also taste really good. I want them to know that my heart and soul and passion have gone into everything that I’ve created. This is practically my baby, my child, and I’m really excited to bring it to the community and get homemade desserts back on the market,” she said. “I’m a simple baker and I didn’t even think that this would happen in my lifetime, that I would even be capable of it. But I’m just kind of going for the dream right now.”
Keep up with Baked By Michela at facebook.com/Bakedbymichela and on Instagram @bakedbymichela.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
